I got my colors analyzed and it felt like an intervention

How I'm learning to embrace "Autumn Strong" in a way I don't hate

In January, G and I had our colors analyzed. The idea was to make getting dressed easier. Less guesswork, more clarity. I imagined walking out with a new sense of direction, knowing exactly what worked, what to let go of, and why.

Instead, I was given a palette called Autumn Strong. The colors were bold and assertive. Cobalt. Vivid Purple. Pine. They looked fine. In theory, they suited me. But I hated them.

left: most flattering. middle: second best. far right: colors to avoid. Notice how my cheeks look increasingly redder on the right vs the super bright shades.

It was supposed to be fun. It sent me spiraling.

I wanted pale pink. Butter yellow. Soft blue. The colors I reach for without thinking. The ones that feel like me. She told me gently that those were my least best shades. It felt like failing a test I didn’t know I was taking.

Meanwhile, G got precisely what he hoped for. The analysis confirmed that soft pastels worked beautifully on him. He looked pleased. Settled. The consultant looked surprised when we removed the white cloths they had wrapped around our heads—the ones that made us look like backup cast in The Handmaid’s Tale. She stared at my hair like she was seeing it for the first time. Your hair is so light, she said. Then she pulled out different sections of hair and held them beside me, suggesting I try something deeper. A rich auburn. Maybe dark red.

beginning to spiral

I nodded. But I felt like crying.

When I got home, I put on the lightest pink shirt I own. I looked awful in it. But I felt like myself.

Now, nearly six months later, I'm only beginning to understand why the experience bothered me as much as it did. The consultant was lovely. The process was fascinating, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to feel a little more in control of their closet. G returned home and edited his wardrobe in a single afternoon. He removed the few pieces that didn't belong to his color family, remarking that he'd never felt good in them.

I, on the other hand, felt stuck. I had more information than ever. I knew exactly what shades to wear, what tones of makeup to buy (the exact opposite of what I "should" be wearing), even what color my hair should be. And yet I couldn't bring myself to step into it. I didn't want to be Autumn Strong. I wanted to be pale and faded and soft. In her follow-up email, the consultant reminded me to "wear WHATEVER makes you feel confident," which I agreed with, at least in principle. But following my instincts now felt wrong, like I had no idea what I was doing or what was best for me.

I understand how dramatic this sounds. It was not medical advice. I was not putting my health at risk. But it felt similar to one of those therapy sessions where something quiet and structural gets revealed. Something you have been circling for years without knowing it. You walk in thinking you are there to talk about your week, and instead, you discover that your favorite color palette is tangled up with your entire sense of identity.

This is all to say, I found the session helpful and revealing in ways I could have never imagined. I've included my 8 biggest takeaways below (and a few outfits that incorporate my learnings while adhering to my style):